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Staff Profile

Dr Christopher Hurst

Senior Research Associate

Background

I am a Senior Research Associate in the AGE Research Group at Newcastle University and a core member of the Ageing, Sarcopenia and Multimorbidity theme of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Newcastle. I trained as an exercise physiologist and am a Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist.


Alongside my research, I hold several national and institutional leadership roles. I am Academic Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) Lead for the Interventions and Prevention Workstream of the NIHR Multiple Long-Term Conditions (MLTC) Cross-NIHR Collaboration, supporting meaningful public involvement across the design, delivery and dissemination of MLTC research. I am also Co-Chair of the British Geriatrics Society Sarcopenia and Frailty Research Special Interest Group, serve on the Newcastle University Faculty of Medical Sciences Research Ethics Committee, and act as Early Career Researcher Representative for the Long-Term Conditions and Multimorbidity Research Theme at Newcastle University.


My research is conducted in collaboration with clinical, academic, public health, community and public partners, with a strong emphasis on translating research evidence into interventions that can improve outcomes for older people and deliver impact at scale. I have published extensively in leading international journals, secured competitive research funding as both principal investigator and co-investigator, and established national and international collaborations in ageing and muscle health research. I am regularly invited to present my work at national and international conferences and professional meetings. 




Research

My research focuses on improving muscle health and physical function through the prevention and management of sarcopenia, frailty and multiple long-term conditions. Spanning the translational research spectrum, my work combines expertise in exercise physiology, clinical trials, epidemiology and evidence synthesis to develop and evaluate interventions that support physical function, independence and quality of life across adulthood and later life.


A particular focus of my research is understanding how evidence-based strength training can be optimised, delivered and implemented in ways that are effective, accessible and scalable for older adults. Through this work, I aim to generate evidence that informs practice and policy while delivering meaningful benefits for older people, health and care systems and society.


I am also interested in understanding the physiological mechanisms that underpin muscle health and function, including the factors that influence exercise recovery, adaptation and responsiveness in later life. My work also explores innovative approaches to assessing muscle health and function, including the use of advanced imaging techniques such as MRI alongside physiological and functional measures to better characterise changes in muscle strength, size and function. As a core team member of the Muscle Ageing and Sarcopenia Study (MASS) Lifecourse, I contribute to a unique population-based study integrating detailed clinical, lifestyle and biological assessments to improve understanding of the determinants of muscle ageing across adulthood.


My broader research portfolio spans ageing, sarcopenia, frailty, obesity, weight management and multiple long-term conditions, contributing to national and international efforts to improve health and quality of life across diverse populations. The findings from my research have informed clinical, public health and policy initiatives focused on muscle health, physical activity and the prevention of age-related declines in physical function.


More information about my research can be found here: ORCiD and Google Scholar

Teaching

I am committed to delivering high-quality, research-informed teaching and supporting the development of the next generation of researchers. I contribute to teaching and assessment on the MRes Ageing and Health programme and the BSc Sport and Exercise Science programme, with a particular emphasis on integrating the latest research evidence and contemporary case studies into teaching wherever possible. Alongside postgraduate supervision, I contribute to the development of learning materials and educational activities that encourage critical thinking and engagement with current research. I am an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA).

Publications